Earth: Late Summer
Governing what is be thought of as the fifth season, Earth holds all moments of transitions.
Grounding us and pulling us towards center as we pivot in our new direction, this energy is most present in the dog days of summer when the air feels heavy and our movements slow. Central to the other four elements, however, Earth is unique in that we return here between each season, pausing a moment to reflect on the last chapter as we gear up for the next.
Moments held by the energy of Earth contain a juxtaposition. There is a desire to savor them because they are the first or the last.
The longest season of Earth is in late summer, from the time the wheat is golden and ready to harvest and fruit hangs heavy on the vine until the fields are cleared and trees start to turn their autumn colors. A mixture of heat and satisfaction, coupled with an awareness of the demands of the season to come bring weight to the days, slowing us down and giving us permission to bask in summertime for just a little while longer.
As fall turns to winter, the bears are stacking calories and digging out their dens and beavers are busy fortifying their lodges, Us humans are winterizing plants, checking our weatherproofing, and getting our warm clothes out. One of my favorite Earth moments lies here - the first real snowfall.
Earth holds the drippy, icy days when intrepid little crocuses poke their noses through the half melted snow, as well as the first days of swimsuit weather and last days waiting for our flowers to turn to fruit in the garden. Earth lives in the moments when things change.
Likewise, Earth holds all transitions from one season of life to the next.
Earth can be found anywhere in which what was no longer exists and what will be hasn’t yet begun and every dusk that ushers in an ending and dawn of a new direction in our life is held in place by the stability it offers.
The natural tendency during these times is to get our own house in order. We lean into relationships that feel supportive, spend more time reflecting on what has and hasn’t been working, adjust our plans for the future, and, if we’re balanced enough to be able to, we nurture our bodies and souls a little more than normal.
